Tyler, The Creator creates network with Golf Media App

Odd Future linchpin Tyler, The Creator has added app creator to his growing list of roles.

Having launched a successful clothing label (Golf Wang), a music festival in LA in partnership with Vans, his own show on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim (Loiter Squad) - which has run for three seasons - and having published multiple photography books, Tyler is now capitalising on his zealous, 6.5 million-strong fanbase.

The description for Golf Media on the Google Play store page reads: “Golf Media is basically my brain in one place. It does just about everything except cure asthma. If you find an app that cures asthma, definitely let me know.”

For $4.99 a month users get access to original and curated movies (he also hosts screenings), a magazine, music, videos, live streaming, articles, photos, events, radio (Survivor contestant Shane Powers has his own show) and merchandise. Alongside app developers Whalerock Industries - the Santa Monica-based tech company behind parenting website mom.me and US movie listing website Moviefone - Tyler’s aim was to create his own network.

“We’re cutting out the middleman of how businesses work and allowing people like myself to just get straight to the point of whatever we do,” Tyler told the audience at a Code Media talk in March.

While the app launched on April 8 it’s had four updates since. Today, it ranks in the Top 15 entertainment apps in Sweden and the Top 25 in New Zealand, it also currently sits at #43 in the top entertainment apps in Brunei (according to app analytics service AppAnnie).  On its launch date Tyler’s manager, Christian Clancy wrote a post on Instagram which stated Golf Media “had more people sign up in its first day than tidal did.”

Lloyd Braun, CEO of Whalerock Industries and former ABC and Yahoo exec, helped action Tyler’s plan to create a singular place for all his content, a hub which pairs down the need for multiple rights holders and gives him access to global revenue opportunities.

At the same Code Media talk attended by Tyler Braun said Golf Media was: “A fantastic new paradigm for premium brands and influencers who have really passionate fanbases, who want to be actively engaged in the creative process, and who want to control their rights.”